kscans

Chapter 687 - On the Phone

The Triangle Duo—a one-of-a-kind real-world event that projects the dreams woven by the world's only VR device, Arcadia, into reality. It is an extraordinary banquet where the stars of the virtual world gather.

At the impassioned request of the public, Yotsuya Development prepared the stage, giving birth to a grand annual festival of entertainment backed by renowned corporate sponsors from the virtual world.

As the masters of the technology, Yotsuya Development has little to do with the actual operation of the festival, which is why it's considered a semi-official real-world event. Since the dome's construction, the official channels have remained silent, taking no action. In a way, it’s a festival colored entirely by the fans, for both the organizers and the participants.

The ones who stand on the stage of combat are the pinnacles of the virtual world: the Title Holders. The rankers from the Northern, Southern, and Eastern factions—excluding the non-combat-oriented Western Faction, Vestol—are invited to participate. While it’s not mandatory… well, it’s basically an unspoken agreement that everyone attends.

Of course, there are some exceptions. Those with no personal combat ability or those whose skills are completely ineffective in a duo are excluded, but most everyone else shows their faces.

The only other absentees are those like the Sword Saint until recently, who simply dislike fighting.

Again, it's not compulsory. In the real world, who could possibly force the hand of the Title Holders, a privileged class backed by the fervent support of the masses?

Besides, at their core, every Title Holder is just another player enjoying their hobby. If anyone were to try and force them into something, Yotsuya Development itself would likely have something to say about it.

Anyway, the main event of this Triangle Duo is a tag-team tournament held in a real-world dome filled with spectators.

With the help of the developers, who graciously pave the way, the participants send only their consciousness from their respective pods, gathering at the venue on the day of the event. They descend into the stadium using avatar data pulled from Arcadia and take part in the festival.

The pairings are completely random and decided on the spot, leaving no room for pre-arranged strategies or discussions. This can sometimes lead to some unfortunate matchups… like last year’s firepower-lacking pair of the East’s Undying and the North’s Cloud-Hidden.

But that, too, is part of the fun of the Triangle Duo. In fact, accidents and happenings are more than welcome; the fans long to see the stars in a more relaxed, approachable light.

So the tournament is the main attraction… but there are other things, too. There’s a “Spectator Banter Slot” where two Title Holders, chosen by a poll, are asked to liven up each match in place of formal commentary. There’s also a terrifying segment called the “Fan Mail Corner.”

All in all, the vibe is basically, let’s just get up close and have a blast—

"—…and, well, that's the gist of it."

"It’s not like you’re the only one who knows this stuff. Your father and I know all about it, you know."

As I finished what I considered a concise and remarkably clear explanation, a single, exasperated voice came through the speaker.

That’s my mom for you. As always, her voice was crisp and assertive, and I could practically picture her back, straight as a board.

"My apologies… So, anyway, the thing is, for some reason, I’m participating this time. And since the developers are backing me, I have a decent number of invitation slots…"

"…"

"Um… S-So, would you, like to, c-come…?"

In any case, while we’d been keeping in touch with brief messages, it had been a while since our last call. After greetings and catching up, I’d finally gotten to the main topic.

But my dear mother was silent. I could tell from her presence that she wasn’t angry or anything, but since the topic was guaranteed to be a source of constant worry for both her and my dad, a strange tension filled the air.

I get it, but please don't pause like that.

This was just a formal confirmation over the phone; I’d already told them via text at the beginning of the month, so it wasn’t a sudden invitation out of the blue—

"I talked it over with your father."

"Ah, yes."

I perked up my ears, ready for her answer, but my mother paused again for a moment.

"We decided not to go this time. We’ll be cheering for you from home, through the TV, so do your best."

"Oh, okay. Is that so…"

Honestly, I had no idea which way it would go, so I wasn't particularly surprised. I was just kind of fumbling for the right response when she added,

"It's not that we can't make the time. It's just, if we go all the way to Tokyo… well, you know—"

My mother, too, hesitated slightly.

"We'd want to at least see your face, and… if that happens, there’s a chance we’d run into… them, right? You know, the people you’re with."

"…R-Right… Th-That… might… happen, I guess…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

For the record, my parents are fully and completely aware of my “current situation.” Unlike a certain idiot who rejected all media offers out of pure conviction, it’s only natural they would be.

"From what I hear, they seem to be supporting you in all sorts of ways, and I… to be honest, I’d like to meet them, to thank them as well."

"I-Is that so…"

"But your father… you know. He looks like he’d collapse, don’t you think?"

"Y-Yeah, I guess so…"

"He’d probably faint just hearing you have a girlfriend."

"Um, Mom, that's not it. No one is, not yet, right."

"And if it turns out to be three of them, all young ladies from a different world… well. It just doesn’t feel real. Even I’m honestly not sure what I’d do."

"S-Sorry…"

And for the record, asありがたい as it is,

"You haven’t reported much about that, but I trust you’re handling things properly?"

"Of course. I am approaching the matter with the utmost seriousness and sincerity…"

For various reasons, my parents can't exactly lecture me on my love life. After learning almost everything, they were shocked and exasperated, but they've been genuinely supportive of my current situation.

I have received various threats from my mother, like “Don’t you dare make them cry, as much as possible,” and “If you’re unfaithful in any half-hearted way, I’ll string you up,” but… well, that’s just how it is.

"So, yes… that’s right. We’re not quite mentally prepared yet, so we’ll pass this time—but, and this might be a little premature,"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Around the end of the year, if the young ladies are willing and it works for their schedules…"

"…"

"One way or another, as parents. I think we should at least bow our heads and apologize for the unbelievable situation our stupid son has created. So, I want you to bring them here for a visit."

"…"

"Nozomi, your answer."

I never really had a rebellious phase, and it’s been this way since I was a kid, but,

"…R-Roger… that, ma'am."

More than ever before, I found myself completely unable to defy my mother.